This Irish-American lawyer and politician was a prominent figure in New York City's Tammany Hall political machine, serving as a judge and congressman. He's most known for his role in shaping the city's politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
John W. Goff was a trailblazing American lawyer and judge from New York City, best known for his fearless crusade against police corruption in the late 19th century. As Chief Counsel to the Lexow Committee, Goff's tireless efforts led to the downfall of corrupt police officials, earning him a reputation as a champion of justice and a thorn in the side of the notorious Tammany Hall machine.
Born on January 1, 1848, in County Wexford, Ireland, Goff emigrated to the United States with his family as a child. Settling in New York City, he worked as a clerk in a dry goods store while attending night classes at Cooper Union. In 1865, he took a job as a junior clerk in an attorney's office and eventually was admitted to the bar.
Goff was a passionate Irish nationalist and played a key role in the daring rescue of six Fenian rebels imprisoned in a British penal colony in Western Australia in 1875. The seaborne expedition, known as Goff's Irish Rescue Party, successfully evaded Royal Navy patrols, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the cause of Irish independence.
In 1888, Goff was appointed Assistant New York County District Attorney by D.A. John R. Fellows. He soon became involved with the Society for the Prevention of Crime and made the acquaintance of reforming clergyman Charles Henry Parkhurst, solidifying his reputation as a vocal critic of vice and police corruption in Manhattan.
Goff's most notable achievement came in 1894, when he was appointed Chief Counsel to the Lexow Committee, established to investigate corruption in the NYPD. With unrelenting fervor, Goff interrogated corrupt police officials, including Commissioner John McClave, Inspector Alexander S. Williams, and Superintendent Thomas F. Byrnes, exposing the depth of corruption within the department.
Goff's work on the Lexow Committee led to the downfall of several corrupt police officials and paved the way for sweeping reforms within the NYPD. His unwavering commitment to justice and his fearlessness in the face of adversity have cemented his place as a pioneering figure in the fight against corruption.
Goff's tireless efforts to expose police corruption and bring about reform have had a lasting impact on modern society. His work serves as a testament to the power of individual determination and the importance of holding those in power accountable.
"Justice is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And those who would deny it to others will ultimately be denied it themselves." - John W. Goff
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